Pine Knoll Shores commissioner candidate: Larry Corsello

Three incumbents and a challenger are vying for three commissioner seats in Pine Knoll Shores. Candidates were asked by The Daily News to respond to the following questions in advance of the Nov. 5 municipal elections. Candidate profiles were edited for length in The Daily News’ print edition. This is the full, unedited written response by one of four candidates.

Three incumbents and a challenger are vying for three commissioner seats in Pine Knoll Shores. Candidates were asked by The Daily News to respond to the following questions in advance of the Nov. 5 municipal elections. Candidate profiles were edited for length in The Daily News’ print edition. This is the full, unedited written response by one of four candidates.

Incumbent: Yes

Name: Larry S. Corsello

Office you are seeking: Town Commissioner, Pine Knoll Shores

Address: 139 Loblolly Drive, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512

Date of birth: July 26, 1944

City of birth: Youngstown, Ohio

County of birth: Mahoning

How voters can contact you: 252-247-0262; lcorsello@embarqmail.com

Occupation: After a couple of years with AT&T Corporation in Chicago I accepted a sales management position with General Cable Corp. in Milwaukee. I was with GCC for 10 years in various sales, market development, and corporate planning positions in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It was in New Jersey that I met and married my wife, Jan, and in 1981 we moved to California so that I could accept a job with GT&E Corp.

In 1983 I joined Sumitomo Electric Industries in New York as VP Marketing/Sales and Specialty Manufacturing for their first U.S. facility to be built in North Carolina. In 1986 when Sumitomo Electric Lightwave opened in Research Triangle Park we moved to Raleigh where I worked for 14 years. Subsequently I worked for a couple of venture-capital funded start-up technology companies. We moved to Pine Knoll Shores in 2000 and locally I worked as a Yacht Broker, and for local retail establishments. Currently I work for Ace Marine in Morehead City.

Education: I attended Youngstown State University while living at home and working part-time. Upon graduation with my electrical engineering degree I was hired by AT&T Corporation into their Management Development Program in Chicago, Illinois. While living and working in Illinois and Wisconsin I attended evening school and achieved a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University. In later years I obtained a Marketing Management Certificate from Columbia University in New York.

Prior publicly elected, appointed or held positions: Currently serving out my four-year term as PKS town commissioner. I am the primary commissioner for budget and finance matters and the secondary commissioner for planning activity. Also, I am a member of the Carteret County Beach Commission.

Leadership experience: In my corporate career I progressed from engineering and sales positions to VP Marketing, Sales and Specialty Manufacturing. I was responsible for hiring personnel, controlling budgets, and building relationships with customers, vendors, and strategic partners while attaining profit goals.

Page 2 of 2 - While living in Raleigh I served two terms each in my Homeowners Association as chairman of the road committee, chairman of the architectural review committee, and president of the Association.

How long have you lived in the municipality for which you seek office? I have lived in Pine Knoll Shores since January 2000.

Why are you running for office? I enjoyed my tenure as Commissioner and wish to continue to be actively involved in maintaining the character of Pine Knoll Shores while controlling the tax burden.

What makes you a good candidate for the position? In my corporate career I was part of a team that devised and implemented a strategic planning process for our five operating divisions. I grew my division to well over $100 million in revenue by defining and satisfying customer needs while hiring personnel, controlling budgets, and building relationships with customers, vendors, and strategic partners.

During my tenure as town commissioner these skills were beneficial. I was open minded in all matters and made decisions that I believe were in the best interest of the residents. I enjoyed my term and am willing to continue to serve.

What do you see as the town’s biggest budget challenge? To keep taxes at the current level will be a challenge. We have done a good job the last four years – no tax increases! We must be creative to repeat this achievement.

What type of growth do you think is best suited for the town? Pine knoll Shores is a residential, family-oriented, environmentally focused community. Our growth must maintain that character.

What quality-of-life projects would you suggest for the town? Pine Knoll Shores has an excellent quality of life. We have a wonderful beach and the homeowners associations have great parks on the ocean and the sound. They also have marinas for boat owners. There is a golf country club and a state aquarium within our town. Surveys by the Park and Recreation Committee show that the residents are well satisfied with the current amenities and do not wish to see town spending to duplicate other recreational facilities that are available in nearby towns.